What if my child has a high blood lead level?

The Environmental Health Division will offer to do an environmental lead investigation
to try and find the source(s) of lead in your home IF your child has two blood lead
levels of 5-7µg/dL. An environmental lead investigation is required if your child
has two blood lead levels of 8µg/dL or greater. Any child with a high blood lead
level should have follow-up lead testing every 2 to 3 months until the child has
two consecutive blood lead levels less than 5µg/dL (see the Forsyth County Board
of Health Follow-up Schedule for lead testing of children under the age of 6).

How does diet affect lead poisoning?

A healthy diet helps protect against lead poisoning. Eating foods high in Calcium,
Iron, and Vitamin C can keep lead from being absorbed and getting into the blood
and bones. Foods high in Calcium include milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, green vegetables,
and salmon. Foods high in Iron include iron-fortified cereals, whole grain breads,
lean red meats, and tuna. Foods high in Vitamin C and D include fruit juices, oranges,
grapefruits, potatoes, tomatoes, and red and green peppers. To learn more select
on one of these fliers below:

What if I work in a lead related industry?

Shower and change clothes before you leave work. Don’t wear shoes that have been
inside your work site into your vehicle or home. It is recommended to keep those
shoes in a “Dirty Box” in the vehicle with a separate clean pair to wear home. Wash
your work clothes or clothes that have been around your work site separately from
your family’s clothes. To learn more select on one of these fliers below:

Can I just paint over existing lead-based paint?

Repairing damaged painted surfaces can temporarily reduce your family’s risk of
lead exposure, but it is not a permanent solution. Never use a belt sander, dry
scraper/sandpaper, water blasting, torch, flame, or heat gun on painted surfaces
that may contain lead. A
contractor who is certified to work with lead-based paint knows
how to safely work around the potential hazard and should conduct any work needed.